Bangor Central Integrated Primary School

Overview

This report details a sustaining improvement inspection conducted in March 2019, during which teaching staff engaged in industrial action and refused to cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) was unable to fully evaluate the quality of learning and teaching or assure stakeholders of the education provided. The evaluation relies solely on evidence made available by the principal regarding self-evaluation, planning, and safeguarding.

Strengths

• The school demonstrated a "well-embedded culture of reflective self-evaluation" which systematically informs improvement priorities.
• Long-term planning for literacy and numeracy provides "continuity and progression" in children’s learning across key stages.
• A specific reading programme had a "positive impact" on developing comprehension skills and increasing children’s disposition to read.
• Year 6 pupils spoke confidently of their pride in the school’s "inclusive ethos" and their enjoyment of "engaging learning experiences."
• Children appreciate opportunities to take responsibility and contribute to decision-making, with staff taking account of their views.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no specific areas for improvement, as the inspection was unable to fully evaluate the school’s capacity for improvement or the quality of classroom teaching due to staff non-cooperation.

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements "reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education," and pupils reported feeling "happy and secure," though the ETI could not fully evaluate the outworking of these arrangements due to the industrial action.